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BARTA, the transit agency serving Reading, Pennsylvania, may soon face service cuts and fare hikes if it does not receive state funding. Officials warn that without financial support, BARTA will need to reduce services or increase fares to maintain operations. The funding shortfall comes as Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to negotiate a state budget that was due over two months ago.
According to Monroe County Transport Authority CEO Rich Schlameuss, smaller transit agencies are currently using reserve funds to bridge the gap, but they expect reimbursement once the budget is passed. The delay in budget approval has caused significant uncertainty for transit agencies across the state.
In Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently faced similar challenges. SEPTA had planned to implement service cuts and fare increases due to a $213 million budget deficit. However, a court order halted these measures, requiring SEPTA to maintain current service levels and fares until further notice. SEPTA is now seeking to use transit capital dollars to fund operations temporarily, a move that is seen as a stopgap solution rather than a long-term fix.
The situation highlights the broader issue of transit funding in Pennsylvania. As reported by Transit for All PA, transit agencies are calling for dedicated and long-term funding solutions to ensure reliable service across the state. The ongoing budget impasse has made it difficult for agencies like BARTA to plan for the future, and without a resolution, service cuts and fare hikes could become a reality.